# raven like a writing desk **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [August 22, 2003, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raven-like-a-writing-desk/196955 "2003-08-22T16:18:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![gopi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7cd45c/32.png) [@gopi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gopi)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2003, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raven-like-a-writing-desk/196955/1 "2003-08-22T16:18:41Z")
In his column on this topic, [http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5\_266.html](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5_266.html), Cecil quotes Lewis Carroll as saying “it is never put with the wrong end in front.” This is a misquote, caused by an overzealous copy editor. The original note said “it is nevar put with the wrong end in front.” ---
**Author:** ![monterey86](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@monterey86](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monterey86)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2003, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raven-like-a-writing-desk/196955/2 "2003-08-22T18:00:19Z")
Perhaps you should re-read what Cecil wrote. "Postscript: In 1976 Carroll admirer Denis Crutch pointed out that in the 1896 preface quoted above, the author had originally written: “It is nevar put with the wrong end in front.” Nevar of course is raven spelled backward. Big joke! " ---
**Author:** ![mindputty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@mindputty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mindputty)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2003, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raven-like-a-writing-desk/196955/3 "2003-08-25T07:37:30Z")
Here’s an additional explanation that I once read in an article in a very old edition of M.L.A. (while working on an english paper about the nonsense in Alice in Wonderland). A raven eats worms and a writing desk is eaten by worms. (Often, writing desks were made of wormwood in the time of Lewis Carrol). Of course, this is also probably just an afterthought. As Cecil points out, the riddle is not meant to have a sensical answer. ---
**Author:** ![cajela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9de0a6/32.png) [@cajela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cajela)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2003, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raven-like-a-writing-desk/196955/4 "2003-08-26T01:19:00Z")
My favourite answer has always been “because there is a B in both”. I’d not seen the “and an N in neither” extension until Cecii’s column. Cool. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2003, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raven-like-a-writing-desk/196955/5 "2003-08-26T03:38:25Z")
Meanwhile, welcome to the Straight Dope Message Boards, **gopi**! ---
**Author:** ![Lady\_Eboshi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/57b2e6/32.png) [@Lady\_Eboshi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lady_Eboshi)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2003, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raven-like-a-writing-desk/196955/6 "2003-08-29T17:36:04Z")
I always thought it was because Poe wrote upon both of them. ---
**Author:** ![AvariceAngel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/958977/32.png) [@AvariceAngel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AvariceAngel)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2003, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raven-like-a-writing-desk/196955/7 "2003-08-30T00:04:06Z")
Maybe it’s just me, but I always thought it was either a thought-provoking, rhetorical riddle, or simply one with no answer designed to confuse Alice. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2003, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raven-like-a-writing-desk/196955/8 "2003-08-30T00:39:12Z")
It’d be helpful if you’d read the [column](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5_266.html) before commenting. You’d find your answer, there, **Lady Eboshi** , and you’d find your comment there, **Avarice**.